Project
Title
Digitaler Zwilling zum Management von Kondensation auf Früchten in Kühllagern
Acronym
Fruity-Twin
Start
01.09.2023
End
31.08.2026
Coordinating Institute
Leibniz-Institut für Agrartechnik und Bioökonomie e.V. (ATB)
Partner
Universität Bremen
Project team ATB
Allocated to research program
Summary
The fresh produce trade offers a wide range of apples all year round. For this purpose, apples are stored at temperatures between 0 °C and + 4 °C, at high relative humidity > 95 %, in machine-cooled rooms for up to 10 months. About 5 million tons of apples are stored annually in the EU out of the total average production of about 12 million tons. Because of non-optimal storage conditions (temperature, relative humidity, condensation, atmosphere, among others) and unfavourable physiological and microbiological initial conditions of the fruit, the product loss can aggregate up to 10% of the total production, mainly due to water losses and decay. Water vapour condensation on fruit surfaces, an important component influencing the storage conditions, has only recently been proven by measurement. Firstly, wet fruit surfaces due to condensation provide favourable growth conditions for microorganisms; on the other hand, too low humidity and, thus, high transpiration lead to losses of mass, quality and commercial value. Therefore, condensation management must be regarded as a crucial element for improving the storage conditions of fruits.
Funding
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
Funding agency
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
Grant agreement number
AOBJ: 695820 / Projektnummer 521409147
Funding framework
Basismodul